Alaska § 36.30.695 - Other rules of procedure.

§ 36.30.695. Other rules of procedure.

 (a) The commissioner may adopt by regulation additional rules of procedure providing for the expeditious arbitration, hearing, and other administrative review of all contract claims, both before the contracting agency and through an appeal heard de novo.

 (b) Except as provided by (c) of this section, an arbitrator shall issue a final decision, and a hearing officer shall issue a recommended decision, within the following time limits after the date the record on the claim is closed:        (1) 30 calendar days for a claim of less than $100,000;

 (2) 45 calendar days for a claim of $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000; or

 (3) 60 calendar days for a claim of $1,000,000 or more.

 (c) The commissioner of administration or the commissioner of transportation and public facilities may, for good cause shown, grant an arbitrator or a hearing officer additional time to issue a decision.

 (d) If an arbitrator or hearing officer fails to issue a decision within the time allowed for a decision under (b) or (c) of this section, the arbitrator or hearing officer is disqualified from acting as an arbitrator or hearing officer in another proceeding under this chapter for one year after the decision is issued.

 (e) The venue for an arbitration or hearing under this chapter is the judicial district where the office of the contracting agency is located, unless the agency and the contractor agree on another location.

 (f) If a party fails to appear at a proceeding under this chapter, the arbitrator or hearing officer may proceed in the party's absence.

 (g) Subject to appropriation, any money awarded by an arbitrator's decision shall be paid within 45 days after the date that the arbitrator's decision is final. Subject to appropriation, any money awarded by a hearing officer's recommended decision that is approved by the commissioner of transportation and public facilities shall be paid within 45 days after the date that the commissioner's decision is delivered to the contractor and the agency, unless the commissioner's decision is appealed under AS 36.30.685 .